Releasable barb assembly

Abstract

The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.

1. A barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component, the barb assembly comprising:
 a barb comprising a body, a pair of barb arms extending from the body and at least one spring tab that extends at an angle from the barb body; and 
 a releasable assembly for applying a force to the barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and the pair of barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools; 
 whereby the pair of barb arms bitingly engage an end of the cable duct section to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. 
 
     
     
       2. The barb assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the barb arms are bent back relative to the barb body so that the barb arms angle towards each other. 
     
     
       3. The barb assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable assembly further pushes the at least one spring tab against a support shelf on the cable duct component placing the at least one spring tab under tension. 
     
     
       4. The barb assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable assembly comprises a lever assembly, the lever assembly comprising a lever and a lever mount for securing the lever to a barb mount. 
     
     
       5. The barb assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the lever comprises a lever mount bearing surface, a curved portion with a slot and an arm extending from the curved portion. 
     
     
       6. The barb assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the lever mount comprises a hooked end, wherein the lever mount bearing surface is positioned in the hooked end of the lever mount. 
     
     
       7. The barb assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the lever comprises a curved portion and a flat portion, whereby when the lever is pivoted about the lever mount to move the barb to an engaged position, the flat portion mates against the barb body. 
     
     
       8. The barb assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the barb having one or more tabs and the releasable assembly further comprising a cam barrel, the cam barrel having one or more cam tracks, whereby the one or more tabs engage the one or more cam tracks for rotating the cam barrel. 
     
     
       9. The barb assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cam barrel further comprising one or more arms for rotating the cam barrel. 
     
     
       10. The barb assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the barb having one or more cam tracks and the releasable assembly further comprising a cam barrel, the cam barrel having one or more tabs, whereby the one or more tabs engage the one or more cam tracks for rotating the cam barrel.